AAJA San Diego is featuring a member of the chapter and the work they do. This is the tenth profile.
You might recognize this familiar face when you turn on the T.V. to get your daily dose of news in San Diego.
Marcella Lee is a weekend anchor for KFMB-TV, News 8 on CBS, where she has worked for about six years. Lee has been in the industry for more than 15 years.
With a business degree straight out of college, Lee made the bold move of entering the field of journalism, which she calls her first love. Before graduating at the University of Michigan, Lee did take several elective communication courses and worked as an intern at a Detroit station.
“News and journalism have always been interesting to me,” Lee said. “That’s why I decided to apply for the internship at the Detroit station, and as soon as I did that internship, I knew I wanted to pursue broadcast journalism as my career.”
Lee started working as a broadcast journalist in Lansing, Michigan at WLNS-TV for CBS and then moved to Columbus, Ohio where she worked at WBNS-TV for CBS as the morning show reporter and a field producer for the station’s Family Unit segment.
Her next job took her to Denver, Colorado (KCNC-TV, CBS) where she worked as a general assignment reporter. Then she worked as a reporter and weekend morning show anchor at WDIV-TV for NBC in the city of Detroit.
“I was fortunate enough to be able to move back to my hometown of Detroit,” Lee said. “After six great years there, my husband and I decided to head for a warmer climate when I was given the wonderful opportunity to work at KFMB-TV (CBS) here in San Diego, where I have worked for the past six years.”
She is the recipient of seven regional Emmy Awards for her work in Columbus, Detroit and San Diego. She received one for a series in Amman, Jordan, and three awards for anchoring and reporting coverage of the wildfires in San Diego three years ago.
“The regional Emmy Awards are judged by peers in other television markets in the country, and it is always humbling to be given an award from people who are in the same field,” Lee said.
Lee has also received other local awards from community groups. She was given the Asian Heritage Award in the Media category from Asia: Journal of Culture and Commerce.
Lee got involved with AAJA more than twenty years ago when she was a high school student. She became a student member for the Detroit chapter and attended meetings regularly. She has participated in a mentorship training program, a clothing drive and several other fundraisers. “It is always great to help students who are aspiring journalists, and wonderful to be involved in the community,” she said.
Lee mentions a few benefits to being in AAJA despite being a journalist and busy mother of twins.
“AAJA allows members to network and meet each other outside of the work environment. Unfortunately, I haven’t been that involved during my time in San Diego because I work the night shift and am raising my 4-year-old twins.”
When asked if Lee’s kids watch her report, she said that they usually don’t.
“Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Imagination Movers are much more popular than mommy when it comes to TV watching in my household.”
Lee answered some questions about her life on and off the camera via email.
What do you enjoy most about it?
People often ask me, “Do you really not know what you’re going to do on a daily basis?”, and I reply, “99% of the time, I have no idea what lies ahead of me when I get up each day, and I love that about my job.” I enjoy covering and learning about a variety of topics and subjects– and meeting and interviewing so many interesting people.
Tell us about your roles and responsibilities at your current positions.
As a field reporter, I research and conduct interviews with people whose opinions and expertise bring credibility to the news story I’m covering. If the story is controversial, it is imperative to convey both sides of the debate. I also do our station’s weekly Adopt 8 segments, in partnership with San Diego County Adoptions, profiling a child or sibling set waiting to find a permanent home. My goal is to find families for each child, but my heart goes out especially to the older kids and teenagers, as I know they only have a few more years until they turn 18 and are “out of the system.” Helping find families for these children is one of the most rewarding parts of my job — it is truly changing the life and path for these deserving kids. I am also the weekend news anchor. Every weekend at 5, 630 and 11pm, my co-anchor Craig McKee and I deliver the news of the day to viewers, meteorologist Shawn Styles helps people prepare and plan for the outdoor activities they may have, and John Howard keeps us on top of all of the sports action.
How did you get involved in broadcast?
After doing that first internship in Detroit, I went to a much smaller market, Lansing, Michigan, (market 106 at the time) where I could get “hands-on” experience. I learned to field produce for the anchors, and when a one-man-band position opened up, I was so thrilled to get the job. I had to commute 70 miles each way from college, and made only $5/hour…but it was so worth it to me. The experience of having to shoot and edit my own video has been invaluable through the years. I eventually became a full-time reporter, and then had the opportunity to anchor as well.
What do you like about it?
I like the storytelling portion of my job. I try to challenge myself each day to be creative in a way that allows the viewer to take interest and really care about the news.
What’s your least favorite part?
The deadlines! On most days, I wish I had more time to craft my story, and more time in the newscast to tell it… but when the clock strikes 5pm, 6:30pm or 11pm, my story must be edited and done.
What’s it like to work at KFMB?
KFMB is a great place to work. It is a family-owned station, and it is the most family-friendly employer I’ve had, for which I am especially grateful as the mother of 4 year old twins. We have great resources and an experienced and professional news team and crew.
Do you have any work you’re especially proud of?
I am most proud of my series of reports I filed from Amman, Jordan, one year after the September 11th attacks. I spent 10 days in Jordan, turning 10 stories on life in the Middle East, attempting to bridge the gap and break down stereotypes about Middle Easterners. Detroit is said to have the largest popoulation of people from the Middle East in the United States. The station I worked for at the time, WDIV-TV, the NBC affiliate, had a lot of positive feedback on the series, which showed that Amman, in particular, is a very modern society, where women work and dress in westernized clothing. What was also interesting is that the majority of people there believe the 9/11 attacks were a conspiracy between the US government and Israel.
What experiences in the journalism field have been most valuable to you and why?
I have covered countless tragedies through the years, and the strength and resolve of the human spirit continues to amaze me. I have interviewed parents who have lost children in unthinkable tragedies — a little girl who died from drinking store-bought juice, a boy who was killed after getting caught in the blinds of his living room drapes. I think, as a parent, it has helped put life in perspective for me– reminding me that we should all cherish each day we have on this earth, and be appreciative for the blessings we have.
A lot of professional journalists have been worried about their future in journalism. As a journalist yourself, does the state of the industry worry you?
I think there will always be a place for local television news– the formatting could change through the years and become more of an “on demand” community service as opposed to the traditional newscasts that air at a specific time, but I am not too worried about the state of the industry.
If you look back on your career, what are some of the most interesting, exciting and/or embarrassing moments you’ve had? Would you change anything?
My trip to Jordan was definitely my most interesting experience. When I reflect on most exciting, I would have to say being involved in the coverage of the Denver Broncos Superbowl win, and the Stanley Cup wins of the Colorado Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings. There is something about the excitement and energy of the fans and pride they show for their city and team that make the adrenaline pump! As far as embarassing moments- I haven’t had any major on-air blunders, fortunately. I have loved and/or learned from each one of my experiences in this career– and feel blessed to have this as my job!
